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City Council Meeting Minutes June 30, 2020 <br />Council Member Baker expressed his concerns regarding the large staff request <br />for personnel of $7.4M and the cost of salaries. Also, concerning to him was the <br />high paid salaries in the City and he doesn't believe staff should make over $100K <br />a year. Mr. Baker mentioned a 2018 pay range report that have staff salaries at <br />$100K and asked if it we can reduce pay ranges. Mr. Baker stated that it is <br />disconcerting that cost reductions in operations/services are being made while staff <br />is making over $100K a year. <br />Mr. Lumbreras stated that salaries are set based on market studies, we have a <br />number of positions in high demand. Mr. Lumbreras stated that we can't compete <br />with private sector. Mr. Lumbreras stated that market analysis is done and we are <br />not on top but try to be competitive. It is difficult as a smaller municipality with <br />the high demand of experienced planners, line workers, engineering staff and <br />fire/police. Mr. Lumbreras mentioned the request is not coming in with high <br />salaries. These are market driven and competitive to address the key areas. We are <br />not one of the highest paying communities in the area. Mayor Hughson stated that <br />a lot of the positions are very specialized. <br />Mayor Hughson asked the council if they want to consider salary reductions. <br />Council Member Gonzales suggested a temporary salary reduction for those that <br />are making over $100K for one to two years during these difficult times. <br />Council Member Mihalkanin inquired about construction projects, and stated that <br />if we reduced salaries by 10% for staff making more than $100K we will be <br />surprised by what savings we didn't get from that. We have multi -million -dollar <br />construction projects. He supports the continuation of the Blanco Garden and <br />Victory Garden projects and everything we have already started that is for <br />drainage and stormwater for maintenance and against flooding. He mentioned that <br />funding for construction often comes from state and federal funding and calendar <br />deadlines need to be met. If not, the City would have to pay it back. Dr. <br />Mihalkanin asked to see a list of what is in the pipeline what we perhaps can't do <br />in the next fiscal year. Where can we get budget savings by moving projects back <br />or slowing down a project of each fiscal year. Mayor Hughson reminded all that we <br />have already done one pass on the CIP using this concept. Our next list is to <br />include a "lean" version. Mr. Lumbreras noted that is the plan and council will see <br />a list about which we can make decisions. Council consensus is to review the CIP <br />list again. <br />Ms. Neel stated that the commercial waste hauler permit was not discussed in May <br />workshop but is an alternative. The ordinance is outdated and we can <br />City of San Marcos Page 6 <br />